Tom Markowski's high school football picks: Week 4

Oak Park — If the outcome of the game between Southfield and Oak Park were determined by sheer talent, Oak Park coach Greg Carter said his team wouldn’t stand a chance.

“I don’t think there’s anyone that’s as talented as they are,” Carter said of Friday’s Oakland Activities Association White Division visitor (6 p.m.). “But they’ve been that way for the past couple of years. We were just fortunate enough to beat them last year.”

Oak Park beat Southfield twice in overtime last season, 24-18 during the regular season and 19-12 in a Division 2 district final.

And this season, Oak Park is unbeaten, rallying to top Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 25-20, taking care of Southfield-Lathrup, 34-14, behind two interception returns for touchdowns, and rallying again to beat Rochester Adams, 36-30.

“It’ll be a tremendous game,” Carter said. “It’s a game both teams have been ready to play for a while.”

The pick: Oak Park by 2

Games to watch

All games 7 Friday unless noted ■ Detroit Denby (3-0) at Detroit East English Village Prep (1-2), 4 p.m.: This is Denby’s first true test. East English is a young team that will improve. East English by 11■ Allen Park (2-1) at Wyandotte Roosevelt (3-0): Has the Downriver League turned into the Big Three (Wyandotte, Melvindale, Taylor Truman) and the Little Seven? Wyandotte by 17■ Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-1) vs. U-D Jesuit (3-0) at Ferndale: U-D has defeated a couple good teams (Grosse Pointe South, Detroit Country Day), but playing St. Mary’s is a step up. St. Mary’s by 13■ Walled Lake Northern (2-1) at Walled Lake Western (3-0): Northern is averaging 61 points. “If we give up their average, that’s not good,” Western coach Mike Zdebski said. Western by 6■ Utica Eisenhower (1-2) at Grosse Pointe South (1-2): Eisenhower has reached the postseason 14 straight years. With a loss tonight and No. 4 Macomb Dakota left, Eisenhower can kiss that streak goodbye. Eisenhower by 7■ Madison Heights Madison (3-0) at St. Clair Shores South Lake (3-0): South Lake’s defense has been inconsistent, in part because of injuries. Madison by 3■ Auburn Hills Avondale (2-1) at Birmingham Groves (3-0): Groves, 2-7 last season, is one of the surprise teams in the OAA. This game features two of the state’s fastest running backs, Avondale’s Josh Holloman and Groves’ Ross Williams. Groves by 5■ Dearborn (1-2) at Belleville (2-1): Belleville was 5-4 last season, and a win here would do wonders for its playoff chances. Belleville by 6■ Detroit Loyola (3-0) at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (3-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Loyola has played well against good competition, but this is its first Catholic League AA game, and the intensity is sure to be higher. Loyola by 2

More Tom Markowski

The Detroit News aims to provide a forum that fosters smart, civil discussions on the news and events that we cover. The News will not condone personal attacks, off topic posts or brutish language on our site. If you find a comment that you believe violates these standards, please click the "X" in the upper right corner of the post to report it.